Establishing a pattern for the other chapters, the first (Baptism as Cleansing from Sin and Sickness) begins with scriptural origins, here of baptism as a cleansing rite. Jensen discusses baptisms in the New Testament, including that of Jesus, before considering the early literary evidence for Jesus' baptism as a cleansing rite. She ranges impressively over apocryphal and anonymous writings, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus and Tertullian, before assessing fourth- and fifth-century Greek, Latin and Syriac understandings of it as cleansing and sanctifying water. Subsequently Jensen deals briefly with the prototype of Jesus' baptism in early Christian art from the third to the sixth centuries as depicted in wall paintings, sarcophagi, ivories and mosaics. With ease she ties together the exegetical tradition of baptism in both literature and art, where biblical figures such as Noah, Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5), the paralytic (John 5) and the man born blind (John 9:6–7), and events like the crossing of the Red Sea are exploited. There is a comprehensive treatment of ritual actions signifying cleansing and healing – scrutinies, exorcism, salt, exsufflation, renunciation of Satan, immersion in water – and a very suggestive section on Roman bathing practices as background to baptismal ceremonies.

Chapter 2 (Incorporation into the Community) deals with six aspects: (1) Christians as a new race; (2) church as mother and God as father; (3) Christians as adopted heirs; (4) joining the church likened to membership of other associations; (5) other symbolic metaphors for the Christian community; (6) rituals of incorporation. Particularly valuable is the third section dealing with adoption, which is situated in the context of Roman family law. In section 4, Jensen draws out the rich symbolism whereby the baptisands are compared to members of other associations like priests, prophets, kings, athletes, soldiers and saints, before she describes the rituals of incorporation – the enrolment ceremony, sponsors, marking with the sign of the cross, and the holy kiss given to the newly baptised.

In chapter 3 (Baptism as Sanctifying and Illuminative) Jensen begins with the scriptural basis of her topic, found in New Testament accounts of the presence of the Holy Spirit at Jesus' baptism, which was a sign of departure from the baptism for repentance preached by John the Baptist. As a whole, the chapter examines the portrayal of the Spirit's gift at baptism in literature, religious practices, iconography and architecture, as well as various and different opinions of baptismal ritual and significance. Jensen deals smoothly with the difficult problem of the distinction between baptism by water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which were not uniformly understood and eventually became ritually differentiated. The significance of anointing and its illuminative function, as well as symbols of the Spirit's gifts, particularly the dove, milk and honey, and candles, torches and fire are considered.

In chapter 4 (Baptism as Dying and Rising) Jensen situates this terminology in two New Testament passages: Romans 6:3–11, where Paul claims that through baptism a Christian participates in Christ's death and resurrection, and John 3:1–10, where the dialogue between Christ and the Pharisee Nicodemus introduces the notion of being born again or born from above. Jensen then turns to typological figures of baptismal rebirth, such as Lazarus, Johan, the phoenix, the Daniel, before assessing the significance of nudes and small figures in early Christian art, which represent rebirth and childhood innocence. In the following section on architectural and liturgical evocation of the dying and rising theme she looks in particular at the baptistery and font as tomb or cross, and the font as the mother's womb. A final section in this chapter is dedicated to ritual actions signifying death and rebirth: triple immersion, stripping off the baptisand's clothes, and reclothing in white garments.

In the final chapter (Baptism and the Beginning of the New Creation) Jensen investigates the creation, fall and restoration of Adam and Eve in baptismal catechesis, the symbolism of the Jordan river, the rivers of paradise, the fountain, the Samaritan woman at the well as a baptismal figure, bridal motifs, the ogdoad or number eight as a figure of resurrection, and ritual acts signifying the restoration of Eden.

The book concludes with a bibliography, index of ancient works (which the uninitiated will find difficult to locate because there are no references given to texts or translations), and subject index. There are over fifty black-and-white illustrations.

This volume is remarkable for its lightly worn erudition and affordable price. It will be much appreciated by scholars and students alike.